[ad_1]
The SABC describes the current financial crisis as “the most critical to the future and sustainability of this 84-year-old institution.”
An impromptu decision made during a heated meeting Tuesday to halt staff reductions at SABC has been rescinded, according to an internal notice sent to staff Wednesday.
At a meeting between some senior managers and staff, Head of News and Current Affairs Phathiswa Magopeni announced that the issuance of dismissal letters sent to staff would be reversed, prompting scenes of jubilation from workers.
However, less than 24 hours later, staff were informed via brief notice that the company was going ahead with the plan.
Meanwhile, the Communication Workers Union announced that it would embark on a protected strike at the public broadcaster on Friday on behalf of the workers. CWU requires section 189 notices to be canceled.
But on Wednesday morning, a letter signed by Human Resources Group Executive Mojaki Mosia read: “In light of the unfortunate incident that took place in our news division last night, please note that the section 189 process continues as planned.
Section 189 is a formal notice that employers must issue to employers in terms of the Labor Relations Act when they plan to reduce 10% or more of the workforce.
The station’s news channel reports that 96% of the staff of SABC Africa, a service dedicated to continental news, have received dismissal letters. Only four positions are not affected. The broadcaster also reported that the decision to go ahead with the job cuts has divided the board, with some members in favor of freezing the process.
SABC Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe previously told Fin24 that he believed the broadcaster would collapse without proceeding with job cuts.
The public broadcaster has been grappling with serious funding problems in recent years, even without paying wages on time last year. In the last financial year, the government extended R3.2 billion to help the company stay afloat.
On Tuesday, the entity reported a net loss of R511 million and net cash outflows from operations of R1.2 billion for the financial reporting period through March 31.
The SABC is expected to issue a formal announcement on the job cuts debacle.
#SABC The Communication Workers Union will embark on a protection strike at SABC this Friday on behalf of the workers. This is related to the saga of layoffs at the public broadcaster. CWU demands that the 189 notifications sent to affected workers be canceled. https://t.co/lj4etCr3TC
